Monteiro's hornbill

The Monteiro's hornbill (Tockus monteiri) is a species of hornbill that is native to the dry woodlands of southwestern Africa. It is a common, near-endemic species in Namibia, with a total population estimated at 340,000 individuals.

Monteiro's hornbill
Adult male at Spitzkoppe, Namibia]
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Bucerotiformes
Family: Bucerotidae
Genus: Tockus
Species:
T. monteiri
Binomial name
Tockus monteiri
Hartlaub, 1865
     resident range

Description

It is a medium-sized bird, 54–58 cm (21–23 in) in length, characterized by a white belly, black back, with white spots on the wings and white secondary flight feathers. The outer feathers of the long tail are also white. Females are smaller than males and can be recognized by turquoise facial skin. The eyes are black and the beak is red.

Range and habitat

Its habitat is the savannah and dry thornveldt of northwestern Namibia and southwestern Angola.

Habits

Unlike other hornbills, which are omnivorous, the Monteiro's hornbill feeds exclusively on insects and other small arthropods. In springtime, Monteiro's hornbills migrate to the southern Windhoek region to nest. They are adapted to the arid environment, and drinking is not a vital necessity for them. They breed at the end of a good rainy season, laying 3 to 5 greyish-white eggs, which hatch after about 45 days. The nest is built on rock faces or in trees.

References
  1. BirdLife International (2012). "Tockus monteiri". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2012. Retrieved 26 November 2013.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
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